Apparatus for stretching fabrics in sheets to be subjected to wet treatment



Oct-19,1926. 1,603,522

5. Dl l,.LlER

APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING FABRICS IN SHE H'JTS TO BE SUBJEC'IED T0 WET TREATIENT Filed Feb. 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm|n|ulmnnm I I I I'I El!!! um:

' S. DILLIER I APPARATUS FOR STRETCHIRG FABRICS IN SHEETS TO BE SUBJECTED TO WET TREATMENT Filed Feb. 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented Get. 19, 1926.

UltlTE STATES SEBASTIEN DILLIER, OF HUNINGUE, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING FABRICS IN SHEETS TO BE SUBJECTED TO WET TREATMENT.

Application filed February 4, 1925, Serial No. 6,766, and in France December 17, 1924.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for stretching fabrics, and more particularly silk fabric, folded in serpentine fashion in such a way that the two selvedges are uppermost and lowermost respectively, the folds being alternately on the two sides.

It is usual to prepare fabric for doping and dyeing in such a manner that each piece, of which the length generally reaches lO to 50 yards, is carried by strings and rods supported on the walls of the tank and agitated in the liquid by a workman.

The presentinvention makes it possible to subject mechanically to wet treatment the heaviest and most sensible fabric, with greater regularity and care than heretofore. Once they are placed in position, the pieces of fabric are no more transferred by a manual labour from one tank or bath to the other, but the whole apparatus carrying the fabric is moved bodily by means of an overhead runway.

By applying a suitable apparatus for drying the fabric and subjecting same to sue tion, in conjunction with suitable transport ing means, it is possible to leave the fabric, for instance silk fabric, in the same apparatus from boiling up to and including doping, a result which no other method of treatment of such fabric has made possible heretofore.

By applying the apparatus according to the invention, it is possible to stretch and to treat at one time pieces of fabric of a length up to 2200 yards.

According to the invention, the fabric in sheets, is folded by a folding machine in serpentine fashion, and string is then passed transversely through the upper and lower selvedgcs at intervals along the folded sections of the piece of fabric, by means of a needle. Between each of the folded sections, or between each group of folded sections, the string is passed through a ring so that at the top for instance four strings are passed through the selvedge. The rings between the folded sections thus form four parallel rows of holes, through which are passed rods which are carried by lateral supporting members forming part of a transportable frame, so that the fabric may be subjected to wet treatment.

The lateral supporting member are formed in such a manner that tl'flii rods passed through the rows of rings may be.

readily placed in position or removed.

In order to obtain at the bottom also the separation of the consecutive folded sections of the sheet of fabric, a string with a row of rings is also passed through the lower selvedge close to each of the two sides, thus forming two rows of rings through which are passed two transverse rods. These rods are kept suitably spaced in relation to each other so that the fabric is kept stretched at the bottom as well. In view of the above mentioned arrangement the contact of the folded sections with the walls of the tanks as well as the corrugation of the sheet of fabric is avoided. One of the greatest drawbacks of the doping and dyeing of pieces of silk is thereby removed.

The apparatus according to the invention may be operated mechanically in such a manner that the fabric carried thereby is periodically dipped into and out of a tank filled with liquid, whereby absolutely uni form and homogeneous results are obtained.

An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is, by way of example, illustrated by the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of the apparatus according to the invention, while Fig. 2 is a plan view and Fig. 8 a side view thereof.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively an elevation and a side view showing the apparatus according to the invention carrying fabric and in position ina tank filled with liquid for the treatmentof the fabric.

Referring to the said drawing, a indicates the stretched sheet of fabric, 1) the strings which are passed through the selvedges and through the rows of rings 0 and which are tied to the first and the last of the rings of each row; d indicates the transverse rods which carry the rings 0 and which are at their ends removably carried in semicircular recesses formed in a pair of supporting members e at the top of the apparatus. Spacing pieces 3" provided to keep the transverse rods (Z suitably interspaced are secured at the top by means of a in on each side. The supporting members 6 form a fart of a transportable frame g it while 7c indicates the supporting members for the transverse rod 2' carrying the rings j through which are passed the two strings which pass themselves through the lower selvedge of the piece of fabric.

The device is made of enamelled or ebonite-coated iron, of gun-metal, or of any other material capable of resisting against acids, The transverse rods are made of a light material chosen according to the nature of the fabric to be treated.

Figures i and 5 show the stretching apparatus in a tank filled with liquid. At the top are providedbrackets m carrying wheels by means of which the suspension frame of the apparatus is able to run on rails 0, the said rails being made as shown with alternate raised portions and depressions. By means of a connecting rod r and a crank 79 mounted on a rotary shaft 9, the wheels are caused to run to and fro along the rails 0, the frame of the apparatus being thereby alternately caused to rise and to sink. Horizontal sections may be interposed in the depressions of the rails 0 if desired.

I claim 1. In apparatus for stretching fabrics in sheets to be subjected to wet treatment, while folded in serpentine fashion with the two selvedges uppermost and lowermost respectively, the combination of, two series of parallel hor zontal strings adapted to be passed transv sely through the upper and lower selvedge respectively of the folded sections of the sheet of fabric to be treated. a series of rings placed at intervals on each of said strings, to be used in spacing the folds of the fabric, a plurality of upper and a plurality of lower rigid parallel transverse rods passed freely one through each series of rings; and a pair of upper and a pair of lower lateral supporting members removably carrying the ends of, and extending at right angles to the respective transverse rods, said members being fitted with means for keeping such rods suitably interspaced and forming part of a transportable suspension frame; substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for stretching fabrics in sheets to be subjected to wet treatment, while folded in serpentine fashion with the two selvedges uppermost and lowermost respectively, the combination of, two series of parallel horizontal strings adapted to be passed transversely through the upper and lower selvedge respectively of the folded sections of the sheet of fabric to be treated, a series of rings to be used in spacing the folds of the fabric, placed at interrals on each of said springs. a plurality of upper and a'plurality of lower rigid parallel transverse rods passed freely one through each series of rings, a pair of upper and a pair of lower lateral supporting members removably carrying the ends of, and extending at right angles to the respective transverse rods, said members being fitted with means for keeping such rods suitably interspaced and forming part of a transportable suspension frame, a pair of stationary rails carrying said frame, said rails being formed with alternate elevated portions and depressions, and mechanically operated means for reciprocatin;- the aforesaid suspension frame along said rails.

In testimony whereof I signed hereunto my name.

SEBASTIEN DILLIER. 

